DR. TONJUA WILLIAMS

The building at 1201 22nd St. S was more than a gym. Children gathered after school to work on donated computers. They met with tutors and the staff served them free lunches. Boys rolled around on donated wrestling mats from Gibbs High School. Exercise equipment — gifts from nearby colleges — filled much of the space. The doors, it seemed, were always open.

St. Petersburg Mayor-Elect Rick Kriseman announced his full (and very large) transition team for his move to City Hall in January. Transition Co-Chairs Andrew Hayes and Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich presented the list of 44 individuals on Monday, which is a coalition of municipal, political, artistic and religious leaders, all with strong ties to various city neighborhoods.

Two years ago, St. Petersburg College launched an innovative and ambitious initiative with one clear goal: to give students the support they need to earn the degree or certificate that would positively impact their lives. That initiative, called The College Experience, has recently been named a winner of the 2014 Chancellor’s Best Practice Award

St. Petersburg College reports that enrollment is up 2.2 percent over last year at this time. The school says 32,350 students were signed up for classes when the fall term started last week. Enrollment among first-time college students was up 8.8 percent overall and up nearly 20 percent among black and Hispanic students that category.

St. Petersburg College (SPC) wants everyone to know that it is no longer merely a college within a community—it is a part of the community. Dr. Tonjua Williams, senior vice president, Office of Student Services, said that she is proud of the work that SPC is doing as a college as it strives to serve and get involved in each individual community.

St. Petersburg College’s Dr. Tonjua Williams, senior vice president of Student Services, was honored by Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg on Tuesday as one of 2014′s Five Fabulous Females. The award honors successful women who make extraordinary contributions to the Tampa Bay community.

Today, Transition Co-Chairs Andrew M. Hayes, AIA, and Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich announced members of the full transition team [see attachment]. Also announced is the first meeting of the full team.

Days into her new role as the provost for St. Petersburg College’s Tarpon Springs campus, Tonjua Williams is exuberant yet pensive. Williams, 43, is fielding calls, arranging lunches with local officials – and coming to terms with the historic significance of her new position. She’s not only the first African-American in the provost’s job, but also the first woman

When Trinh Mai Pham, 32, came to the United States from Vietnam in 2004, she didn’t speak a word of English. Pham, who now lives in Clearwater, started taking English classes in 2006 at St. Petersburg College, which was affordable and close to her home. In May, she graduated with her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and a command of the language.

St. Petersburg College ranked 10th among four-year colleges nationwide. The school awarded 4,019 associate degrees in 2011-12, up from 3,518 the previous year, or 13th with all colleges combined. Tonjua Williams, senior vice president of student services at St. Petersburg College, cited culture change at her school as well.

This spring at St. Petersburg College, something surprising happened. Nearly 60 percent of black male students attending college for the first time successfully completed their courses — up from 42 percent the previous year.

Dr. Tonjua Williams recognized as Business Woman of the Year in the Business over 50 Employees category.

Dr. Tonjua Williams was a candidate for the EWOTY (Exceptional Woman of the Year) Award by the Network of Executive Women.

Officials at St. Petersburg College are kicking off a new program this fall that they hope will result in a higher retention of students and an increased graduation rate. Each of the college’s eight campuses are employing the use of staff members as “success coaches” to help targeted students in any manner necessary to help their academic success.

Contact Centers of America (CCA) and St. Petersburg College today announced a partnership to expand and enhance students’ curriculum by offering real world work experience in the students’ field of study. CCA provides students opportunities at their state-of-the-art call center in Clearwater, Florida, providing work preference in the student’s primary field of study or interest when available — be it hospitality, medical, technology, marketing, etc. In addition, CCA is providing its student employees with job placement services upon graduation, giving them a significant advantage in a challenging job market.

Days into her new role as the provost for St. Petersburg College’s Tarpon Springs campus, Tonjua Williams is exuberant yet pensive. Williams, 43, is fielding calls, arranging lunches with local officials – and coming to terms with the historic significance of her new position. She’s not only the first African-American in the provost’s job, but also the first woman